should
gb/ʃˈʊd/ us/ʃˈʊd/
A2
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
relation
1
Express obligation or duty
Used to say that something is the right thing to do.
Usage pattern:
[subject] should [base verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'should' with 'must'; 'must' is stronger and means no choice, while 'should' is advice or mild obligation.
Synonyms
ought to (Slightly more formal or old-fashioned, but similar meaning.)
Antonyms
must not (Indicates prohibition instead of obligation.)
Collocations
should be
|should have
|should try
Themes
advice
|rules
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- You should wear a coat; it's cold outside.
- Employees should arrive on time.
- We should respect other people's opinions.
- Drivers should follow the speed limit.
Learner examples
- You should eat breakfast.
- I should go now.
- We should help him.
- You should drink water every day.
Verb
A2
relation
2
Give advice or recommendation
Used to tell someone what you think is a good idea.
Usage pattern:
[subject] should [base verb]
Synonyms
recommend (A direct suggestion, often more formal.)
Antonyms
shouldn't (Gives advice against doing something.)
Collocations
should try
|should consider
|should see
Themes
advice
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- You should try the pasta; it's delicious.
- We should visit the museum while we're here.
- He should see a doctor about that cough.
Learner examples
- You should read this book.
- She should call her mother.
- We should go to the park.
Verb
B1
relation
3
Express probability or expectation
Used to say you think something will probably happen.
Usage pattern:
[subject] should [base verb]
Synonyms
likely to (More explicit about probability.)
Antonyms
unlikely to (Indicates low probability instead of expectation.)
Collocations
should be here
|should work
|should arrive
Themes
predictions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The train should arrive in five minutes.
- This medicine should help with your headache.
- He should be back by now.
Learner examples
- She should be here soon.
- The bus should come soon.
- It should be sunny tomorrow.
Verb
B2
relation
4
Express hypothetical condition or result
Used to talk about what would happen if something else happens.
Usage pattern:
If [subject] should [base verb], [result]
Synonyms
were to (Alternative way of expressing hypothetical situations.)
Collocations
should happen
|should fail
|should need
Themes
conditions
|hypotheticals
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- If you should see him, tell him I called.
- Should you need help, let me know.
- If anything should go wrong, call me immediately.
Learner examples
- If you should meet her, say hello.
- Should you need money, ask me.
- If it should rain, we will stay inside.
Verb
formal
C1
relation
5
Express surprise or emphasis in a clause
Used in formal English to show surprise in some sentences.
Usage pattern:
'that' clause with 'should' after adjective of emotion/opinion
Collocations
strange that ... should ...
|odd that ... should ...
Themes
formal language
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- It's surprising that she should say such a thing.
- It's odd that he should forget your name.
- It's strange that they should arrive so early.
Learner examples
- It is strange that she should be here.
- It is odd that he should call now.
- It is surprising that they should win.
Grammar
Dictionary form
should
IPA
GB/ʃˈʊd/
US/ʃˈʊd/
Syllables & stress
should (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (should)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: should
- 3rd Person Singular: shoulds
- Present Participle: shoulding
- Past: shoulded
- Past Participle: shoulded
Word family
Forms
shoulds
verb
shoulding
verb
shoulded
verb
Negative and opposite forms
shouldn't
verb A2
Expressions
should have known better
1/ʃˈʊd hˈæv nˈoʊn bˈɛtɚ/
fixed phrase
Regret doing something unwise in past
Used to say someone made a mistake they could have avoided because they had enough experience or information.
Examples
- I shouldn't have trusted him; I should have known better.
- She got sunburned again — she should have known better.
should you wish to...
1/ʃˈʊd jˈu wˈɪʃ tə |/
fixed phrase
formal
Polite conditional offer or option
A formal way to say 'if you want to'.
Examples
- Should you wish to cancel your booking, please contact us within 24 hours.
- Should you wish to discuss this further, my office is open all week.
shouldn't have done [something]
1/ʃˈʊdənt hˈæv dˈʌn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Say past action was wrong/unwise
Used to say it was a bad idea to do something in the past.
Examples
- I shouldn't have said that to her.
- You shouldn't have eaten so much cake.